Punjab officer falls victim to cyber fraud, shoots himself

A retired Inspector General of Police, once among Punjab’s senior-most law enforcement officers, is battling for life after allegedly shooting himself at his Patiala residence, leaving behind a chilling 12-page suicide note that speaks of crushing financial distress, a sophisticated cyber fraud amounting to over INR 8 crore, and an anguished plea for justice and protection for his family.

Former IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal allegedly fired at himself using his personal security officer’s revolver, sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was rushed to a private hospital in Patiala, where his condition remains critical. Police officials said that timely intervention ensured that he was shifted to medical care while he was still alive.

The incident has sent shockwaves through police circles and the wider public, not only because of Chahal’s senior rank and long career but also due to the disturbing details he left behind in his final note — a document that reads like a painstaking account of how an experienced officer fell prey to an organised and highly persuasive online fraud network.

According to police sources, Chahal had written a 12-page suicide note addressed primarily to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. Copies of the note were also shared with some of his close friends. In it, he described being duped of INR 8.10 crore by individuals posing as “wealth equity advisors” operating through WhatsApp and Telegram groups.

The former IG wrote that the fraudsters claimed to represent a DBS-linked investment group, projecting themselves as authorised by Government agencies and market regulators to educate retail investors and deliver assured returns in capital markets. He admitted that he failed to exercise due caution in financial dealings — an omission he acknowledged with regret — and gradually invested large sums after being convinced by the group’s professional presentation and constant engagement.

Chahal detailed how a man identifying himself as “Dr Rajat Verma”, claiming to be the CEO of DBS Bank, joined the group in late October and began offering daily tips on stock markets, IPOs and trading strategies.  

The profile photograph and the group’s interactive nature, where queries were promptly answered, deepened trust among members.

The suicide note explained how investors were shown an online dashboard showcasing multiple schemes — daily stock trading, over-the-counter trades, IPO investments and quantitative funds — each promising progressively higher returns. These dashboards, Chahal later realised, were entirely fake.

He wrote that the group lured members by promising discounted IPO allotments and unusually high returns of 30-40 per cent in OTC trades and over 50 per cent in quantitative funds. When doubts were raised, other group members — now suspected to be part of the scam — stepped in to defend the system, presenting it as foolproof.

The situation worsened when Chahal attempted to withdraw INR 5 crore. He alleged that he was first charged 1.5 percent as service fees and three percent as tax, amounting to INR 2.25 crore. Even after paying this amount, the funds were not released. Further demands followed —INR 2 crore more, and later INR 20 lakh under the guise of “premium membership” — but the money never came back.

Chahal stated that more than INR 8 crore had been transferred from his Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank accounts, nearly INR 7 crore of which was borrowed from friends and acquaintances. He claimed to have attached bank details, transaction records, IFSC codes, chats, and screenshots as evidence.

In the note, Chahal spoke candidly about his deteriorating mental health, revealing that he was undergoing treatment for depression. He requested security for his family, relief for those from whom he had borrowed money, and appealed that any recovered amount be returned to his family. He specifically demanded a Special Investigation Team or a CBI probe into the fraud.

Police confirmed recovery of the suicide note and the weapon used. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Varun Sharma said that teams reached the spot within minutes of receiving information. “Our immediate priority is saving his life. All angles will be investigated,” he said.

The episode also inevitably revived attention on Chahal’s controversial past. He is an accused in the 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing cases, in which two protesters were killed. A Punjab Police SIT had filed a chargesheet in February 2023, naming several senior political leaders and police officials, including Chahal.